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Friend.I like the sound of having friends at this college.

I scrunch my nose. “Are they always like this?”

Remy giggles, her hands still locked around Zane’s arm, her lips brushing his ear. “What? You don’t like PDA?”

“I’m fine with PDA,” I say with a grin.

Maya laughs, her eyes glinting with amusement. “But it’s too much.”

She looks at me again, as if about to say something, but then her gaze flicks down at the game, and she shuts her mouth. We’re both waiting for the game to start.

I feel the air shift. The stadium’s starting to fill, and the guys are taking their positions on the ice. Everyone’s on edge, quiet now, the buzz still hanging in the air.

“You’re, like, really into this game, huh?” Maya asks, her voice low but definitely not missing the excitement buzzing in her chest.

I nod, keeping my eyes on the ice. I realize I’m sitting at the edge of my seat, leaning forward.

“Yeah. I guess I’m finally buying into the hype. It’s kinda hard not to when you see how hard these guys work.”

“I mean, seriously,” Maya agrees. “They’re grinding. But, like, no pressure, right? Only a bunch of scouts in the crowd, no big deal.” She laughs, but it’s a little tight, like she’s not entirely sure she’s joking.

“Tell me about it,” I say with a snicker.

Remy perks up then, finally pulling her attention away from Zane, who’s still completely absorbed. “I heard you say that you’re the Coach’s daughter, huh? You probably know everything about these guys then, huh?”

I nod, glancing over at the two men, still deep in conversation. “Not everything, but I know enough.”

“Grayson?” Remy says pointing at the name on my jersey.

I nod.

Maya says she does not know Grayson, and I watch as Remy raves about how Eli is a great player on the ice.

Maya turns to me and smiles. “You must be proud.”

“I am.”

She nods. “I guess he joined after Zane left, but maybe we can all hang out after the game. I am here to surprise my boyfriend, but I don’t think he will mind it.”

I smile at that wondering what that would like. Then my mind races about being judged for showing up withtwoboyfriends.

I feel my skin begin to heat up. My new friend is staring at me intently.

She raises an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

Before Maya can dig deeper, the buzzer sounds, and the crowd around us erupts in cheers. Everyone’s on their feet, and suddenly, the moment shifts — everyone’s eyes on the ice.

The energy’s electric. It’s not just a game anymore. It’s everything. It’s the chance for these players to make something of themselves, to prove they belong in the big leagues. I can practically taste the adrenaline.

I glance at Maya and Remy, but they’re both staring ahead, eyes fixed on the game. Zane, too, finally looks up, as if realizing he might’ve missed something important.

There’s no time for small talk now. It’s just the players, the crowd, and the game. And me, caught in the rush of it all.

The energy in the arena is unreal. The crowd is on their feet, screaming, chanting, hands slamming against the plexiglass. I can barely hear myself think over the deafening roar.

Caleb skates down the ice, weaving through defenders like they’re fucking traffic cones. Eli is right behind him, cutting sharp, his stick ready. The puck flies between them—one, two—so fast I can barely track it.

“Jesus Christ,” Remy mutters beside me. “That was sick.”